Compare Hidden Balkan with Greece by Serbia Tour Operator vs Highlights of Albania by Explore!

If you are arriving in Belgrade a few days prior to the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of $55 (Standard package) or $90 (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double room.

Day 1: Arrival to Belgrade

Upon arrival in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, you will be welcomed by your driver and escorted to your hotel. On the short coach ride from the Nikola Tesla airport, sit back, relax and enjoy the sights of New Belgrade with its prominent ‘blocks’ – a classic example of Socialist architecture, built after World War II – and modern business centres, including the imposing Ušće Tower. Along the way, your driver will show you and tell some stories about the Western Gate of Belgrade, the famous Belgrade Arena and the monumental Palace of Serbia. Check-in at your hotel.

Use your free time to rest and prepare for the trip. At 7pm in the hotel reception, you will be greeted by your guide who will introduce himself and provide you with detailed information about the entire trip. You will also meet the other travellers in the group. For the rest of the evening, we recommend you take a short, leisurely walk through one of the oldest quarters towards the bohemian heart of Belgrade – Skadarlija. In a charming 19th century cobbled street you will find many numerous ‘kafanas’ where you can try delicious local specialties while listening to traditional music. Overnight.

Day 2: Belgrade – Fruška Gora – Sremski Karlovci – Novi Sad – Belgrade

Breakfast. On this tour, you will explore the most interesting sights of Vojvodina, a province in the north of Serbia. You will be driven through picturesque scenery and Serbia’s famous wine region towards the ‘Serbian Holy Land’, home to 17 functioning Serbian Orthodox monasteries. You will visit well preserved monastery Krušedol, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy wine and rakija made by the monks.

The tour continues on to town of Sremski Karlovci. A real gem of Serbian culture and spirituality, Sremski Karlovci feels like a ‘museum town’ with its Baroque centre, the Patriarchal Court, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the first Serbian secondary school (gymnasium). It is also famous for wine production and the town’s annual Wineball festival. You will finish your tour of this charming town with a visit and wine tasting at one the region’s most prominent wineries.

Further on the tour, you will visit the 2021 European Capital of Culture, Novi Sad. Located on the historical border of two former empires – the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman – as a result, the capital of Vojvodina is a multi-cultural city with an interesting mix of architectural influences. On a sightseeing tour around the city, you will walk around the city’s pedestrian zone, past the City Hall, a Catholic church, the old city centre, the former house of Albert Einstein’s wife Mileva, the cultural foundation Matica Srpska and a synagogue. Then you’ll follow the right bank of Danube and visit Petrovaradin, or the so-called ‘Danube’s Gibraltar’, where the fortress is located. Drive back to Belgrade. Overnight.

Day 3: Leisure day

Belgrade Great Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast, you will embark on a tour (driving and walking) around Belgrade, a capital city well known for its various architectural styles, dynamic history and fantastic views of one of the biggest river confluences in the whole of Europe. Start the tour visiting the Museum of Yugoslav History, a memorial complex devoted to the life and deeds of Josip Broz Tito, the political leader of Yugoslavia. Next, you will pass by the stadium of FC Red Star – the former European and World Cup champions, and proceed to the Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade’s patron saint. Very much a symbol of the city, this impressive building can be seen from any part of the capital.

After a short break at the Temple’s plateau, the panoramic tour will then take you from Slavija Square, to Saint Mark’s Church, the Serbian National Parliament and White Palace, and on to Republic Square. This most central point of Belgrade is surrounded by such cultural institutions as the National Theatre and National Museum. The tour will then head along the lively Knez Mihailo Street, the main pedestrian and shopping zone, before stopping for a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, which is located just across from the Building of Patriarchate. Your guide will tell you about the tavern around the corner, the oldest in the city and intriguingly known as “?” (Question Mark), before continuing on to Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, the most important cultural-historic complex of the city, situated on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube.

Day 4: Belgrade – Šargan Eight – Wooden-town – Zlatibor

Breakfast and check-out. Morning departure from Belgrade, heading west towards the picturesque Ovčar-Kablar Gorge, through which the West Morava River meanders. The tour will continue on to Tara National Park, and you will have time to reflect on its beauty from aboard the authentic, retro ‘Nostalgia’ train which runs along the narrow-gauge heritage railway, Šargan Eight. Travelling from the bottom of Šargan mountain on route shaped like the number eight (hence the name), you will be transported back in time while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery and numerous tunnels and viaducts. At the beginning of the 20th century, the railway used to be a part of the railway from Belgrade to Sarajevo. After enjoying the breathtaking nature, you will arrive at the ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden Town), built by prominent movie director Emir Kusturica. The village, which includes the Mećavnik Hotel, houses, galleries, shops, a cinema and a church, is made of natural materials, mostly wood. Since 2008, the village plays host to the annual Küstendorf Film and Music Festival and Drvengrad has been visited by the likes of Johnny Depp, Monica Belucci, Jim Jarmusch and many others.

After exploring Drvengrad, there will be a short drive to the famous Zlatibor Mountain, home of the first royal resort in Serbia. Here you can enjoy a relaxing walk around the quaint town centre of this picturesque air spa. In the evening, an enjoyable dinner of traditional Serbian food typical of the region will be served in the hotel. Overnight.

Day 5: Zlatibor – Višegrad – Sarajevo

Breakfast and check-out. The tour continues to Bosnia and Herzegovina and a short drive takes you to Višegrad, where Emir Kusturica used his imagination and creativity to build Andrićgrad (also known as Stone Town). It is a cultural centre with numerous buildings and facilities built on the banks of the Drina River near the famous bridge (a monument under the protection of UNESCO). The bridge is referenced in the title of Ivo Andrić’s novel The Bridge on the Drina and in honour of the Nobel Prize winning author, Kusturica’s town was called Andrićgrad (literally translated as Andrić’s Town). In Andrićgrad, the tour will stop for lunch at an unusual restaurant called Zlatna Moruna, the interior of which is decorated with frescoes by well-known artist Bisenija Tereščenko.

After lunch, the tour will continue on to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Check-in at the hotel. After a short rest, the Sarajevo sightseeing tour will start, covering all the main sights including: Vijećnica or Sarajevo City Hall, the building of which was finished during the Austro-Hungarian period; the old downtown of the city called Baščaršija; the historical and cultural centre of Sarajevo with authentic shops and souqs from the Ottoman era; the Orthodox Church from the 16th century; the Gazi Husrev-bey mosque; the Sahat Tower from the 17th century; and the first public toilet in Europe. Next you will head on to the Latin Bridge where Gavrilo Princip shot the successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand, consequently starting the First World War. After crossing the bridge, you will reach Bezistan, a market complex from the 16th century, and then on to the main pedestrian zone Ferhadiya with the Sarajevo Synagogue from 1580 and a Catholic cathedral from 1881. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 6: Sarajevo – Mostar – Blagaj – Trebinje

Breakfast and check-out. Drive to one of the most beautiful cities of the Balkan Peninsula, Mostar. During the walking tour, you will visit the symbol of the city, Balkan TOP 10 and the most photographed sight in the country – the Old Bridge (a UNESCO protected landmark). You will then proceed to Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge and the old tanner’s quarter Tabhana. Free time in Mostar for getting lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with an amazing view of the bridge that rises above you.

The excursion continues to Blagaj (a site on the UNESCO Tentative List), an old town from the 15th century where the Kosača noble family ruled. Blagaj was also the crib of Islam of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina, when dervish Sari Satluk built a khanqah at the riverhead of Buna. During the short tour, enjoy the view of the monastery located in a fairy-tale environment, beneath the cliffs, on the shores of the emerald green river Buna.

The next destination of the day is Trebinje, a picturesque town with a wonderful mix of sights originating from a mix of different cultures. The tour starts with a visit to Arslanagića Bridge, a dream for artists and photographers alike; this stone bridge with its peaceful atmosphere will take you 400 years back in time. During the leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the old town, you’ll see the most important sights of Trebinje as you make your way to the so called ‘Poet’s Square’ where you can sit under the 115 year old trees, which are the symbol of the town. In this beautiful town, Emir Kusturica, the world famous movie director, made one of his last movies, with Monica Belluci in the leading role. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 7: Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Budva

Breakfast and check – out. Drive and arrival in Dubrovnik, one of the most significant monuments in the world and one of Europe’s best preserved walled cities, known since the 7th century. The old town is surrounded by a 2 km long wall that gives a great opportunity to see old Dubrovnik from above during a one hour relaxing walk; the city’s churches, fortifications and monuments are a real must-see. Dubrovnik has enchanted a lot of famous persons to devote their pieces of art to the city, thus in this city of marble and light coloured stone, you will find numerous art galleries and unique shops. In the historical centre of Dubrovnik, you will visit the main street Stradun, the main square Placa, Pile Gate, the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, the walls of the Old Town, the church of Saint Blaise, the cathedral, the Jesuit church, Orlando’s Column, Big Onofrio’s Fountain, the city port and other hidden gems.

Drive to Budva, the town known as the tourist capital of Montenegro and for all the right reasons. Highlights include walk through the mediaeval cobbled streets of Budva’s Old Town, a cocktail on the warm sandy beach and incredible views of the natural beauty of Budva, the bay and neighbouring islands. Located on a small peninsula, the Old Town represents a treasure chest of cultural heritage. Along the narrow streets and around the squares you will find famous buildings such as the Church of the Holy Trinity, which houses the tomb of the exquisite writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubiša, and the churches of Saint Ivan, Santa Maria in Punta and Saint Sava. At the end of the tour, you will have some free time and we suggest using it to enjoy some fresh seafood and local wines at one of the many restaurants. Check–in to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 8: Leisure day

Budva – Kotor – Budva

Breakfast. Today we are heading to the Bay of Kotor. With its unique landscape, it is a must-see location for more than 500 cruisers during a year. Our first stop a stop will be at the town of Perast, little settlement in baroque style. From Perast you’ll start a relaxing boat ride along Boka Kotorska Bay to picturesque island of Our Lady of the Rock. This manmade Island hosts a church with valuable paintings of local artists, silver votive tablets and a famous votive tapestry.

After the boat ride, you will continue to Kotor, an old Mediterranean town that dates back to the 12th and 14th century. A walking tour will allow you to explore this UNESCO site, including the churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint Luke, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and other cultural moments. You will have free time to continue wandering around the old paved town, or have lunch in a restaurant on one of romantic squares.

Back to Budva and free time for individual activities and enjoying in modern Mediterranean town.

Overnight.

Day 9: Budva – Shkodër – Tirana

Breakfast and check-out. The tour continues through pristine nature, a national park and past Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe. The Albanian spirit is best felt by visiting charming town of Shkodër, one of the oldest towns in Europe, unique by its narrow streets, stone walls and ancient houses. At the entrance of the town, the tour will start with a visit to the remains of the Venetian fortress Rozafa, one of the biggest and most famous castles in Albania. It rises imposingly on a rocky hill, surrounded by the Buna and Drina rivers, and offers amazing views of Shkodër, Lake Skadar and its water-intersected surroundings. Continue on the tour to the centre of the town, walking through the well preserved and most popular pedestrian street Kole Idromeno towards the other sights of the town, including the Ebu Bekr Mosque, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity and the monument of Mother Teresa.

Drive to Tirana, the capital city of Albania as well as its largest city. Situated on the banks of the Lana River, Tirana has outstanding architecture, wide boulevards, parks, shops and cafés. The heart of Tirana is the Skanderbeg Square, where you will find many important ministry buildings, as well as the National Opera, the National Bank and the National Library. The square is dominated by a statue of Lord Skanderbeg, an Albanian hero and symbol of freedom and independence. During the sightseeing tour, you will be introduced to the architecture of the Mussolini period and see the city’s most important landmarks, including the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the National Museum of History, the Clock Tower and the Presidential Palace. As you stroll through the central part of the city, you can enjoy the many murals and works of art painted on the buildings by various artists and understand why Tirana is known as ‘the city of colourful buildings’.

Check-in to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 10: Tirana – Elbasan – Ohrid – Skopje

Breakfast and check-out. On the way to North Macedonia, we will make a stop in Elbasan, the third largest city in Albania, located on the Shkumbin River. While the city was the main centre of Albanian nationalism during Ottoman rule, Elbasan is best known for its castle district. Here you can still admire the old city walls built by the Ottoman sultan Mehmet II on the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine fortifications, which gave the city the name of Eli-Bashan (“I put the hand”). Inside the fortress, while walking the cobblestone streets past old houses and excellent restaurants, you will see the Royal Mosque that dates back to the 15th century, the Orthodox Church of Saint Mary and the Sahati Clock Tower.

Continue to Ohrid, the soul of the Balkans and the cradle of Slavic literacy. Thanks to its extraordinary natural beauty and rich historical and cultural heritage, Ohrid was proclaimed as both a Cultural and Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the oldest lakes in the world will welcome you with a photographic setting, impeccably clear water that reflects the lake’s picturesque high mountain surroundings. This former capital of the First Bulgarian Empire is the spiritual and national centre of Northern Macedonia. In the same area where the first Slavic university was founded, you will have the chance to visit over 300 Orthodox churches and monasteries.

Drive to Skopje. Check-in to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 11: Leisure day

Skopje Sightseeing Tour

Breakfast. The capital of North Macedonia, for a long time Skopje has been the meeting point of different nations and cultures in the heart of the Balkans. After an earthquake in 1963, Skopje was rebuilt and it is now a modern city with a population of almost one million. With its fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites and the nearby Matka canyon, it is a very attractive tourist destination. Start your sightseeing tour in the old part of city with a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar, the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today. With the 1500-year old Kale fortress perched above, listen to stories about the Sultan Murad Mosque and Daut Pasha Hamam before walking across the Stone Bridge, close by the Archaeological Museum of North Macedonia, towards Macedonia Square and its amazing fountain with the ‘Warrior on a Horse’ monument. In the newer and more modern part of the city, you will also see the Porta Macedonia, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, the Art Bridge and numerous statues of prominent North Macedonian figures.

For the remainder of the day, we suggest you use your free time to rest in the hotel before heading out to experience the city’s nightlife. We recommend heading to Debar Maalo — an area famed for its restaurants — and trying numerous North Macedonian delicacies including shopska salad, ajvar (roasted red pepper spread), sarma (minced meat rolled in cabbage/vine leaves), tavče gravče (baked beans) and stuffed peppers. Back to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 12: Skopje – Thessaloniki

Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city and one of the oldest in Europe. For many tourists all over the world, Thessaloniki is the perfect destination for leisure tourism, with its quality museums, concerts and rich nightlife.

The main sights of Thessaloniki date back to the Roman and Byzantine times and include the Roman Arch of Galerius, the Monument of Rotunda, the Church of Saint Demetrius and the mediaeval castle Heptapyrgion. During the Thessaloniki city tour, you will visit Aristotelous Square, the city’s most central square and home to monumental mansions. It is one of the biggest and most impressive squares in Greece and offers a wonderful view of the Thermaic Gulf — with clear skies, you can see Mount Olympus in the distance. A walk along Nikis Avenue will take you along the coast, from the city’s port to the statue of Alexander the Great. Lined with many cafés, bars and stores, this avenue is one of the city’s most favoured places to walk for locals and visitors alike. Continuing on the tour, you certainly will not miss a visit to the White Tower, the most popular monument and a symbol of the city; the Arch of Galerius erected to commemorate the victory of the Roman Emperor Galerius over the Persians; the Rotunda which served as a mausoleum for Galerius and is now the Church of Saint George; and one of the oldest churches in city, the Church of Hagia Sofia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Use your free time in the evening to further explore this ancient city and afterwards, enjoy some local Mediterranean specialties and a glass of delicious Greek wine in one of the many restaurants overlooking the Bay of Thessaloniki. Overnight.

Day 13: Thessaloniki – Meteora – Athens

Breakfast and check-out. On the way to Athens, you will have a chance to visit the Meteora, a unique complex of Orthodox monasteries named after the Greek word for levitating stones. A place that, until 100 years ago, could only be reached by a rope net, today it is must-see location on a tour of Greece. Set on huge, steep cliffs, the monasteries evoke a mixture of awe and amazement, and it will come as no surprise that it is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and considered as a unique cultural heritage phenomenon and one of the most important points on a cultural map of Greece. The stunning natural phenomenon of great geological age is also home to a resilient community of monks that inhabits six of the original 24 monasteries.

On the way to the Greek capital, enjoy the picturesque scenery of southern Greece, the part of Europe where the sun always shines. Check-in to the hotel. Free time to rest or to get out and catch the vibes of modern and vibrant capital. Overnight.

Day 14: Leisure day

Athens Sightseeing

Breakfast. Start the day by exploring Athens, the capital of Greece, birthplace of democracy and home to the most important archaeological sites. The historic capital of Europe is best known for the Acropolis of Athens, the site of masterpieces of world architecture and art, among which the Parthenon — the greatest symbol of Ancient Greece and democracy — stands out.

As you explore the Acropolis, you will also see the Erechtheion, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the world-famous sight Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Besides the Acropolis, the sights of this wonderful city not to be missed are the city’s main central squares: Syntagma Square, at the foot of the Old Royal Palace, and Omonoia Square, where you will find some of the city’s most beautiful neoclassical buildings. On the sightseeing tour you will also visit the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held, as well as Monastiraki, a characteristic area of “old” Athens, with narrow streets and small buildings surrounding one of the oldest churches in Athens, the beautiful Church of Panagia Kapnikarea. No visit to Athens is complete without seeing the historic Plaka district, also known as the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’. With its tight, twisting alleys and colourful 19th century facades, this area is packed with small shops selling handmade souvenirs and local home-made food.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Athens on your own and discover the fashionable boutiques, sophisticated restaurants, cool bars and traditional taverns. Overnight.

Day 15: Athens Departure

Breakfast and hotel check-out. As most of our clients decide to extend their trip within their own organisation, transfer to the airport at the end of the tour is not included in the overall price. Any guests who would like Serbia Tour Operator to organise a departure transfer on their behalf are welcome to contact us.

End of services.

If you are departing from Athens a few days after the tour end, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of $80 (Standard package) or $110 (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double room.

Day 1 Join trip in Tirana

Arrive in Tirana, Albania's colourful capital city. With a blend of communist architecture and a backdrop of rugged mountains, Tirana is a mix of new and old. For those arriving on time our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Tirana at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is about 30 minutes' drive. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information on the morning of day two. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to head out to explore the city which is easy to navigate on foot. The National Museum with its easily recognisable mosaic frontage, is well worth a visit to learn about the fascinating history of Albania. If you're into markets, check out Pazari i Ri, an open-air market where you can buy everything from fresh produce to local specialties such as byreks, baklavas and honey. Whilst in Albania we'll have the opportunity to sample the delicious cuisine, which is a real mix of Turkish, Greek and Italian influences, like byrek - a spinach and feta stuffed filo pie, and in the more rural mountainous areas barbequed lamb and 'earthy' vegetables such as griddled aubergines and mushrooms are particularly popular. Along the coast, there will be the chance to sample fresh seafood. Albanian red wine is especially good and also local beers, such as Birra Korca. On this trip, we have packed in as many highlights of Tirana as we can, but there is very little free time in the city, so if you wish to spend some time discovering more on your own, we recommend extending your stay for a night or two.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Cable car up Mount Dajti and walking tour of Tirana

This morning we take a walking tour of the city to see the main sights including the government buildings, Skanderbeg Square and Et'Hem Bey Mosque. We'll include a visit to Bunk Art 2, the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that has recently been transformed into an interactive artistic space. You can wander through the furnished rooms intended as a shelter for dictator Enver Hoxha and the innermost circle of his government. After the visit we drive a short distance to the outskirts of Tirana to the Dajti Express cable car, which is the longest cableway in the Balkans. Our 15-minute journey takes us almost to the top of Mount Dajti at around 1,049 metres. From here, we admire the views over the city below and the surrounding highlands. From Mount Dajti, we continue our drive to the Pellumbus Guesthouse where we will meet the Duqi family. They have transformed their home into a guesthouse welcoming visitors from around the world. Lunch will be served in their garden, and we will have the opportunity to try tasty local produce such as cheeses, jams, fruits and olive oils. We then drive back to Tirana for the evening.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 See Elbasan Fortress and drive to Lake Ohrid

This morning before leaving Tirana we will visit the Bektashi World Centre. The Bektashi Order is an Islamic dervish sect who blends elements of both Shia and Sufi beliefs. We'll have a brief stop to see their ornately decorated tekke (place of worship) with its marble mosaics. We then drive two-and-a-half hours to Elbasan to visit the historic fortress before continuing to the picturesque fisherman's village of Lin where we will have free time for lunch before we drive to Pogradec, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. The lake is one of the oldest in the world and is a spot renowned for its natural beauty. During the summer months, you might want to take a refreshing swim in the lake before dinner.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Drive to Korca via the medieval town of Voskopoja

Today, we make the journey to Voskopoja - formally known as Moskopoje. Founded in the 16th century, the town was once a major urban settlement and was famous for its churches which were adorned with many beautiful frescoes. After exploring the churches, we will have lunch in one of the local restaurants and try some of the local specialities. We then continue to Korca, sitting at the foot of Moravia Mountain, where we will spend the night. On arrival, we take a city tour including the Resurrection Cathedral, which is the main Orthodox Church. In the evening, there is the change to go to the old town and try the famous 'Baked Raki' (Raki e pjekur). A raki tasting provides a delightful opportunity to appreciate and discover the rich tradition of Albanian spirits. Local establishment invites visitors to sample a variety of raki flavors while enjoying the cozy ambiance of this historic city.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Scenic drive to Gjirokaster with a stop at the thermal baths in Benja

Our four hour journey today takes us through the southern highlands to Gjirokaster. Travelling along one of the most scenic routes in Albania, we will reach the Barmash Pass (1,040 metres) where we can enjoy sweeping views of the Nemercka Mountains, which are snow covered for most of the year and form the border with Greece. For lunch, we will stop in a mountainside restaurant serving homemade raki or if it is too early for you, try the mountain tea, one of the most popular herbal teas in Albania. We continue our drive to Gjirokaster with a stop at Benja to admire the stunning view of the Ottoman stone bridge over the river with the mountains in the distance. There, enjoy a dip in the warming waters of the thermal pools, born from the geothermal waters near Permet. The heated water flows down the river unless it gets diverted into one of the several human-made pools. Some say the baths have healing properties. The rest of the drive to Gjirokaster takes us through the White Mountains via Kelcyra Gorge, carved by the Vjosa River on its way to the Adriatic Sea. The scenery in the mountains is breathtaking with rolling valleys, that in spring are covered with some of the most exuberant wildflowers you are likely to see anywhere in Albania. We will spend the next two nights in Gjirokaster, often referred to as 'the pearl of Albania' and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and enchanting towns on the Balkan Peninsula.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Visit Gjirokaster and enjoy lunch with a family in Dhkosat

This morning, we visit The Ethnographical Museum in the historic district of Palorto where the dictator Enver Hoxha was born. Set over four floors it offers us an insight into the traditional affluent Albanian lifestyle of the town with numerous household items, folk costumes, and cultural artefacts on display. We then drive to Dhkosat village for a traditional homemade lunch at a family house. We meet the family and explore their farm where we will learn about the rural life in Albania. Depending on the season, discover the beehive and taste their local honey, walk around the vineyard, and learn about the local wine production or visit the padlocks to meet the goats and other animals on the farm. Later, we return to Gjirokaster where we take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed historic centre and visit Gjirokastra Castle. The castle sits at a height of 336 metres and is one of the most magnificent structures in the city with views over the hilly countryside, river valley and city. There have been extensive renovations to the building since it was constructed in the 12th century and it now possesses five towers, a church, a cistern, and houses the Weapons Museum. The museum exhibits captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured US Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime's struggle against the 'imperialist' western powers.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7 Explore Butrint, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Balkans

Leaving Gjirokaster behind us, we drive two-and-a-half hours to Saranda. Along the way, we will stop and walk to the karstic spring, known as 'The Blue Eye' where we can marvel at the blue clear waters. This afternoon, we visit UNESCO listed Butrint, which is one of the great archaeological sites in the Balkans. With a long and colourful history dating back to the early Neolithic age, Butrint has been occupied and fought over until the Ottoman period when it lay abandoned. More recently, excavations have taken place and all periods of Butrint's history have been revealed including its Roman theatre, Roman house and thermal baths as well as a fine baptistery with fabulous mosaic floors. The setting is idyllic with the ruins nestling in the bend of the Vivari River. After spending time exploring this fascinating site, we return to the shores of the Mediterranean and Saranda for the night.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Visit Ali Pasha's Fortress; stay in Llogora National Park

As we leave Saranda, we can look forward to another scenic coastal drive (three hours) along the Albanian Riviera, before winding over the 1,000-metre-high pass at Llogora as we travel to the national park, which goes by the same name. Along our route we pass terraces planted with citrus groves and olive trees and enjoy the views over the mountains, sea and forest. We stop at Ali Pasha Fortress, a castle on a small peninsula within Palermo Bay with stunning views over the turquoise coastal waters. Although small, the walls of the triangular fort are well preserved, along with some cannons found here. We'll stop for lunch along the beach at Himara and for a well needed refreshing swim in the clear waters during the summer months. Upon reaching Llogora National Park, we will have time for an optional hike in the mountains with many attractive views along the way. Tonight, we'll stay at hotel nestled amongst the pine trees of this tranquil national park.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 9 Visit ancient Apollonia and Vlora en route to Berat

This morning, en route to Apollonia. we stop at Vlora where we visit Flag Square and the Muradi Mosque. From here, we continue our drive to Apollonia. Founded in 585 BC and dedicated to the god Apollo, the city achieved fame and wealth before being incorporated into the Roman Empire to become Caesar's stronghold during the civil war with Pompey. The most impressive feature of the site is the bouleuterion - a facade with six Corinthian columns which are thought to date back to the 2nd century AD. Although much of the ancient site is yet to be excavated, with so few other visitors, it is possible to imagine a time when the site supported 55,000 men and Octavian (later to become Emperor Augustus) was one of its students. We continue our drive to Berat where we spend the night.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 Walking tour of Berat and Durresi

Situated over a gorge next to the Osumi River and in the shadow of Mount Tomori, Berat's white buildings sprawl up the hillside towards the fortress. New construction is strictly regulated in order to maintain the city's unique character in its UNESCO listed historical centre. Exploring on foot this morning, we head up to the fortress and see the painted icons and frescoes in the Church of Saint Mary, one of the seven churches within the citadel walls. We will also visit the oldest mosque in Albania, the Red Mosque, and the Onufri Icon Museum. We drive on to Durresi which is one of Albania's main ports. Originally founded in 627 BC by the Greeks and then called Epidamnos, the city was later plundered and conquered by the Illyrians, Romans, Normans, Venetians and Serbs, which resulted in the many reminders we can see as we wander around the city today of its long and varied history. We will stop off at the Roman Amphitheatre, which is not far from the modern city's main square, before we depart and drive to Kruja where we spend the last night of our trip.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 11 Trip ends in Kruja

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kruja. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Kruja at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is about 40 minutes' drive. Depending on the time of your flight or if you are extending your stay by a night then you may have some free time today to explore Kruja, perhaps to visit the fortress, which is a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Albanians, the nearby bazaar or the Ethnographic Museum.

Meals Provided : Breakfast